What is Auto Attendant?
An auto attendant is a phone system feature that answers incoming calls with a recorded greeting and routes callers to the right extension or department through keypad menus or simple voice commands, without a human operator.
Also known as: automated attendant, auto attendant system, virtual attendant, digital receptionist
How it works
The business records a greeting and a menu, such as press 1 for sales and 2 for support, often with a dial-by-name directory and separate after-hours routing. Auto attendants are usually built into business phone systems and cloud PBX services.
Auto attendant vs IVR vs AI receptionist
An auto attendant routes calls. An IVR goes further, letting callers complete simple self-service tasks such as checking a balance. An AI receptionist holds a natural conversation: it understands the request in the caller's own words, answers questions, books appointments and transfers with context when a person is needed.
When an auto attendant is enough
If most callers only need the right person and staff are free to answer, a well-designed auto attendant works. If callers wait on hold, abandon the menu or ring after hours, an AI receptionist can resolve the request instead of only routing it.
Where this shows up at Vaami
Vaami can sit in front of or behind an auto attendant: its AI receptionist answers in natural conversation and transfers to the right person or queue with context.
See it on a real call.
Hear how a Vaami voice agent handles this on a live conversation in your language and your use case.